5 Ways to Develop Team Leaders (Even If They’re Not Your Best Players)

You don’t need a team full of captains to have a team full of leaders. In high school sports, leadership isn’t about stats, seniority, or being the loudest voice in the room, it’s about influence, consistency, and trust.

Yet many coaches fall into the trap of waiting for “natural leaders” to emerge. The truth? Leadership is a skill, not just a trait, and like any skill, it can be developed.

Here are 5 practical ways to cultivate leadership in athletes, whether they’re stars, role players, or somewhere in between.

1. Teach Leadership Like You Teach the Game

You wouldn't expect an athlete to run your offense or defense without reps, so don’t expect them to lead without training.

• Break leadership into skills: communication, accountability, listening, composure.

• Share examples of what good leadership looks like in your sport (e.g., huddling teammates, redirecting negativity, keeping energy up).

• Use film sessions or team meetings to highlight leadership moments, not just plays.

  
  

Coaching Tip: Run a weekly “leadership rep” drill. Assign one player to lead warmups, speak before a scrimmage, or close out practice with a message.

2. Elevate Role Players Into Leadership Opportunities

Your vocal senior captain may lead the chant, but your quiet backup point guard might be the emotional anchor of the team. Leadership doesn’t require minutes, it requires mindset.

• Identify different types of leaders: vocal, relational, lead-by-example, logistical.

• Give quieter or younger players low-stakes leadership moments: checking in on teammates, organizing gear, leading drills.

• Make sure your team sees leadership as behavior, not position.

  
  

Stat: According to Coaching Better Every Season by Wade Gilbert, teams with multiple leaders outperform teams with only one or two key leaders regardless of talent level.

3. Create a Leadership Council

Not every team needs captains but every team needs a core. A leadership council (3–5 players) helps distribute responsibility and gives athletes a voice.

• Rotate members throughout the season or include representatives from each grade.

• Use short, regular meetings (15–20 mins weekly) to gather feedback and align on team goals or challenges.

• Empower them to help manage locker room culture, accountability, and peer support.

  
  

Coaching Tip: Start the season by having the team vote on players who embody your core values, not just the most popular or skilled.

4. Let Athletes Lead in Areas They’re Passionate About

Leadership doesn’t have to be tied only to performance. Some athletes lead through spirit, service, or even strategy.

• One athlete might run the pregame playlist.

• Another might handle team TikTok content or film review.

• Someone else might mentor a younger player or run a devotional.

  
  

Coaching Tip: Ask each player early in the season: “Where do you see yourself adding value to this team, on or off the field?”

You’ll be surprised what they come up with when they feel empowered.

5. Model It Relentlessly

The number one influence on team leadership? You.

Your athletes are constantly watching how you handle stress, discipline, praise, and relationships.

• Show them what calm looks like under pressure.

• Admit mistakes and own them out loud.

• Treat everyone, starters and subs, with equal respect.

  
  

Quote to Remember:

Leadership starts at the top, make sure what you model matches what you preach.

Final Word

Great leaders aren’t born, they’re built. The best coaches understand that leadership development is as important as skill development.

When you invest in teaching, encouraging, and empowering athletes to lead in their own way, you’re not just preparing them to win games, you’re preparing them to win in life.

At Spectator Sport, we don’t just highlight leaders on the field, we help coaches grow them where it matters most; off of it.